The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
Sikh Wedding in Exeter
A Sikh couple celebrates blissful union.
From the collection of:
Overview
Anand Karaj meaning Blissful Event is the name given to the Sikh wedding ceremony. The groom in ceremonial costume arrives on horseback carrying a kirpan or sword accompanied by baraatis or members of the groom’s family. The procession may be preceded by a milni where both families meet and gifts and sweets are exchanged. This wedding takes place in the Gurdwara or Sikh Temple in Exeter in the holy presence of the Sikh scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib.
Sikh hymns known as Shabads are sung and the couple sit side by side. They seek the blessing of the Wondrous Giver of Knowledge Waheguru for the Anand marriage. The officiator reads the four lavan or stanzas and the groom leads the bride around the Guru Granth Sahib. Living as a householder is respected in Guru Nanak’s society and men and women's equality is enshrined in the teachings of the scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib.
Related
Watch for free
Princess Di Wedding and Winter Snow Princess Di Wedding and Winter Snow
Amateur film 1982 4 mins Location: Harrow
Everyone's home in Harrow to witness Lady Di's debut as a Royal and a record-breaking winter causes chaos in 1981.
Watch for free
The Best Man The Best Man
Comedy 1986 83 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
The bar flies prepare for the big day with betting, boozing and banter. But will best man Billy break more than his ma’s heart before the wedding?
Watch for free
Wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten Wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten
1947 1 mins Silent
Royal nuptials at Westminster Abbey, attended by the great and good including King George VI and Winston Churchill
Watch for free
The Royal Wedding The Royal Wedding
Non-Fiction 1923 5 mins Silent
The wedding of Queen Elizabeth II's future parents, as later incarnated by Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter in 'The King's Speech'.
Watch for free
Princess Mary Wedded to Viscount Lascelles at Westminster Abbey Princess Mary Wedded to Viscount Lascelles at Westminster Abbey
Non-Fiction 1922 8 mins Silent
Newsreel of the lavish royal marriage, which was probably the biggest British newsreel story of the decade.
Watch for free
Princess Mary's Thought Princess Mary's Thought
Non-Fiction 1922 1 mins Silent
The sartorial build up to the lavish nuptials of Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles in 1922.
Watch for free
Charm Hostess and Mannequin School Charm Hostess and Mannequin School
Current affairs 1965 6 mins Location: Exeter
Women are put through their deportment paces and all in the name of etiquette.
Watch for free
One Per Cent of Us - One in a Hundred One Per Cent of Us - One in a Hundred
News 1986 52 mins Location: Plymouth
This documentary charts the progress and challenges of disabled people living in the community.
Watch for free
St Loye's Toymaker St Loye's Toymaker
News 1964 3 mins Location: Exeter
St Loye's College graduate says never say die until you're dead!
Watch for free
Fancy Dress Pageant Fancy Dress Pageant
News 1976 1 mins Silent Location: Exeter
Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education's perform in a fancy dress pageant.
Watch for free
St Loye's College in Exeter St Loye's College in Exeter
News 1962 3 mins Location: Exeter
St Loye's College shows its enabling training courses on offer.
Watch for free
Championship Swimmer Championship Swimmer
News 1967 1 mins Silent Location: Exeter
Champion swimmer Linda Hockworthy returns to the pool after a recent leg amputation.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Watch for free
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Watch for free
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.